If You Really Knew Me...

Hi Everyone!  I saw this on my SIL's blog and decided I would steal the idea and join in on the fun.

If you really knew me...

*  You'd know that I absolutely love when my pup cuddles with me... which almost NEVER happens.  She has to be the right kind of tired and at a place where she is allowed on the couch, ie. my in-laws. 

*  You'd know that I eat dessert after every lunch and dinner.

*  You'd know I can do a standing back flip.

*  You'd know it makes me gag to think about, look at, or touch hair pulled out from a drain, but I look forward to seeing open wounds.

*  You'd know I love anything LIME GREEN.

*  You'd know the last scary movie I watched was, The Ring, on Brian's and my first date... almost 10 years ago.

*  You'd know I very rarely cry.

*  You'd know I have 13 full scrapbooks that start when I was 16.

*  You'd know that I love to travel... I have been to 15 countries.

*  You'd know The Goonies is my favorite childhood movie.

*  You'd know that I'm not a big shopper... and when I do go shopping, I don't last long.  It makes me sleepy for some reason.

*  You'd know I believe that Disney World is the BEST place on earth... just like they say.

*  You'd know I love roller coasters... whoo hoo!

*  You'd know I'm NOT a runner... I don't understand marathoners at all.

*  You'd know I absolutely hate being late.  I'm very punctual and I like others to be the same.

*  You'd know I'm so in love with my hubby and I look forward to his texts, emails, or calls like a giddy high school girl.


That's me in a nut shell.  Hope you enjoyed.

If Only I had All the Time in the World

Do you ever feel overwhelmed?

Overwhelmed is a characteristic I feel often... especially when I'm thinking about the things I need to do at home.  I'm a list maker and a list typically helps me decrease the stress I'm feeling about all of the things I need to do.  If I can get my thoughts down on paper and then cross them off one by one, then I get a feeling of accomplishment.  Even if one of those items is - eat lunch then I get such a warm fuzzy feeling if I get to cross something off, even if they are things I would be doing anyways.  Lists are what got me through planning my wedding for sure.  I had a small notebook that I made a list each day of things I needed to do whether it was wedding related or life related.

Anywho... this gets me to my MASTER LIST.  I constantly think about what I need to do at home.  I seem to have started many projects and left them half-finished.  So, if I had all the time in the world... these are the things that I would want to get FINISHED.

1.  Finish my wedding scrapbook.  You heard me... and No, I have not finished my wedding scrapbook.  Brian and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary in April, so I'm 4 years late in getting that done.  I have actually filled 2 full scrapbooks from pre-wedding and wedding festivities, but I still have a stack of about 100+ pictures from the reception still waiting to be creatively placed on those blank pages.

2.  Transfer ALL of our home videos on VHS tapes to DVDs.  I have also started this project, however I found out last weekend that I had not finalized any of the DVDs I've made so I have to go back and do that.  Granted, that is only about 5-10 DVDs... but I still have to redo them.  On top of what I have done, I have about 40-50 VHS tapes I would like to transfer.  Then, once all of the DVDs are finished, I would like to put them on the computer and rip them to digital files so I can post old videos on things like this BLOG :)

3.  Research and put together a compilation of all of my ancestry.  My Mom has a stack of information, there is pile of stuff coming from my Gram's house, and Brian's Mom has most of his side finished.  I would like to put all of this together and use ancestry.com to make our family trees.  This is a project I have not yet started, but something I have a HUGE urge to do.

4.  Go through 52 Weeks to an Organized Home

I started following this blog and getting email updates at the beginning of the year.  My New Year's Resolution... Let's just say I have done pretty well at reading the emails... not so much with following through with the tasks.  I would absolutely love to completely organize my home... room to room, top to bottom.  I spent MANY hours cleaning out and organizing our office.  I'm about 90% done and just feel stuck  with how to decorate it and make it look "made over".  Right now it still looks like the same ol' office.  But what you can't see is that I filled our huge trashcan size recycle bin TWICE and still had more to get rid of.  I went through our entire filing cabinet, drawers, book case... you name it, but it still doesn't look like I did much... still work to do I guess.

Back to organizing, I would love to clean out all of the closets in my house, the buit-in cabinets, the guest bedrooms, the list goes on and on.  Organizing makes me sooo happy and if I could get my WHOLE house organized, I'd be one happy camper :)

5.  Get this body in to tip top shape.  I would love more time to get to the gym, do a boot camp, or take up cycling.  In addition, researching and getting together a good diet that we could stick to would be amazing.  I could spend more time finding recipes, researching better foods, and planning our weekly meals.  Then, with more time I could begin couponing and saving mula at the grocery store.  Less money spent and more pounds lost.

6.  Spend more time with family and friends.  I love spending time with people I love.  I have known most of my friends for many many years and it feels like I see them less and less.  Everyone's lives are so busy with jobs, families, and extracuriculars that there is not enough time to spend with each other.  I wish I could spend all the time I had with my family and friends, life just does not allow it.

7.  Make photobooks of my last 2 vacations.  Photobooks are the new scrapbooks of the 2010's.  I've made some photobooks in the past and it takes so much less time to make than regular scrapbooks.  They are also sooo much CHEAPER, big plus in my family.  Okay...not just my last 2 vacations but any occassions, parties, travels, and get togethers that I have had since I started PT school (2005).  Yes, I'm that far behind on scrapbooking.

8.  Scan and organize old family photos.  Anything before the digital age... somewhere around 2001 when I got my first digital camera.  Plus, I'm supposed to receive all of the photos from my grandmother's house, scan them, and give copies to my family.  Something I'm actually really looking forward to doing.

9.  Organize all digital photos (plus those I have to scan) on photoshop elements.  Just so they are easier to find.

10.  Learn all there is about photography and my Nikon D90.  I actually am working towards this one since I began a beginner photography class this week at the Houston Center for Photography.  So far so good.  Hopefully I can learn everything in 4 weeks.

Here's hopin'.

11.  Make time to progress my career.  There is always more you can learn in the field of physical therapy.  There are journals beyond journals of information.  I wish I had the time to absorb and learn as much as possible so I can better treat my patients.

12.  Read more.  I've never been a reader.  However, lately, it has been a different story.  I made it through the Hunger Games, then Dominique's Memoir, and now I'm on Bloom.  My SIL gave it to me for my birthday.  It is a memoir from a blogger, Kelle Hampton (check it out here) and it has just sucked me in.  Anywho, I would love to have time to read for fun.

13.  Frame all of these BEAUTIFUL pictures we have taken on vacation and of our puppy, Ryley.  We have thousands of pictures from all of our vacations that are just sitting in a file on our computer.  It would be so nice to display some of those shots in our house.

14.  Spend more time with my Ryley girl.  Yes, she gets a walk most mornings and played with every afternoon... but I know she is sooo bored during the day and I wish we could just play all of the time.

15.  Become a better BLOGGER.  You know I wouldn't forget that one, didn't you?  I would love to have the time to blog daily but there just isn't enough time.  As I blog now, I think about all of the other things I could be doing (hence this list), but I have found a new love for blogging :)

Well, that is the list... for now.  I'm sure I'm forgetting some things and I'm sure I will find new and creative projects I want to get in to (ie. learn to sew).  So, I will return to this post and cross of each item, one by one.  But without all of the time in the world, this is going to take me FOR-EV-ER (imagine the kids from Sandlot).  I can only hope and manage my time as best as I can to accomplish all of these things.  But once I do, it will be the BEST feeling in the entire world!

Happy Birthday, America!!!

Happy 4th of July!!  Here are some  pics from our neighborhood fireworks show.  Enjoy!

You can see 7 other fireworks shows going on behind ours in this picture.  Actually, there were many more than that.  I love that you can shoot fireworks around our neighborhood since we are outside of Houston city limits.  I hear constant popping right now (I may not be so happy when I'm trying to go to bed).

Kara Got Hitched

One of my best friends from high school got married last weekend.  Kara Jo married Javier on June 17, 2012.  I was blessed to be standing next to Kara at the alter when her and Javier tied the knot.  She had 5 bridesmaids, all of us friends from high school.  Leila, Laura, Jessica, Marion, and I.  It was such an awesome weekend with all of us back together.  It was like old times and I LOVE these girls so much.  We were all so happy for Kara.

One of the other bridesmaids, Laura, put together this amazing video from the weekend.  Most of the time I had no clue she was even taping.  Here it is... so take a look at Kara's awesome wedding. 

If you don't have time for the video (which you should totally make time for cuz my friend Laura did an AMAZING job!) then take a look at some of my favorite pics that I snapped throughout the weekend.  Some I even dabbled with a little photoshop.

The couple after their small ceremony in the Catholic Church the day before the wedding.

The bride and me.

Kara, Javier, and Kara's son, Mateo



Doing what a 6 year old boy would do... splash in some Holy water.

Bridesmaid Luncheon... getting our nails did.

Laura was able to stretch her arm out with my big 'ol camera and capture this great shot of all of us... dang is she talented with the "reach and shoot".



 Rehearsal... picture at the alter

Mateo and the ladies



Kara and her Dad... notice the bouquet made by your's truely.  I will have a how-to blog up soon on how to make that awesomeness!

'Nough said



Bridesmaids at the bar (plus Jess)

Enjoying my beer in a mug... can't beat beer in an ice cold mug.

I caught this super cute moment between Javier's Mom and niece.

Kara and Javier at the Rehearsal dinner.

Wedding Day!  Kara receiving her gift from the Maid of Honor (Marion) and bridesmaids.

Gettin' Ready!

Love this pic... I have one similar from my wedding.  No one is bending knees, however Laura has on heels and I do not.  I'm a shorty.

Love this picture I caught of Kara.  I think she is so beautiful.

Mother-son time prior to the ceremony.



Finishing touches.



Handsome little man.

Being a part of Kara's big day was such an honor.  I'm so glad I got to spend the whole weekend with my girls and celebrate such a special moment for Kara and Javier.  I don't have any pictures from the actual wedding because I was doing my bridesmaid duties of standing at the alter and then dancing my booty off.  Make sure to watch Laura's video posted at the beginning to see all of our goofy pictures we took in the photo booth and Mateo's mad dance skills.  It was an awesome night and one that I'm sure Kara will never forget.  Love you girls!



Off Balance

I just finished a new book yesterday.  I'm definitely not the biggest reader but I have found myself doing a lot more reading in the past few months.  It all started when I got a hold of the Hunger Games.  It sucked me in and I was finished with all 3 books in about 3 weeks... unheard of for me.  I started the Twilight series and I have been half way through the third book for the past year and a half.  Let's just say, I'm not a huge vampire fan and I didn't relate to the main character at all.  Back to my point.. I just got a new book from my MIL on my birthday called OFF BALANCE, A memoir about Dominique Moceanu.

I had the privelege to know Dominique when I was a gymnast at Karolyi's Gymnastics from 1994 to 1995.  I was in the group that was allowed to work out in the 3rd gym for bars with Alexander.  Otherwise, the 3rd gym was off limits to anyone other than Dominique, Kim Zmeskal, Svetlana Boginskaya, and Jennie Thompson.  I was so fortunate to be in the presence of these elite gymnasts and to be coached by Jackie and Alexander.

I just wanted to recommend this book.  Dominique shares all of the details and unsettling delimas she faced as a child and then into adulthood.  She had an extremely hard childhood that was masked by the limelight of the media and the Olympics.  I won't go in to details, but there are some very surprising things that happen in her life that were so negative.  I'm so happy for her now and the happiness she has found with her husband, 2 children, and long lost sister... yes sister that she did not learn of until her 20's. 

Go get this book!

At the end of the book, Dominique begins to talk more about USA Gymnastics and the political power that Marta Karolyi controls.  I was watching Olympic trials this weekend for track and field as well as diving and realized that the way gymnastics chooses its team for the Olympics is very very different.  For other sports, the top spots at the trials go on to the Olympics... very straight forward, simple, and objective.  However, in the sport of gymnastics, only the first place spot at the Olympic trials is guarenteed a spot on the 5-person team for the Olympics.  The other four spots are chosen by the Olympic committee...with Marta being the main voice.  So, someone placing 2nd place at the Olympic trials may not even make it to the Olympics.  I find this sooo unfair and un-American.  Those girls train so hard and for so many hours, that I don't believe it is right to take that away from someone.  Whether Marta has control or not, I still don't think it is fair that the system has come to this.  In the past, this is not the way it was done.  There were girls petitioned to the Olympics (Dominique and Shannon Miller in 1996), but they were unable to compete in the trials due to injuries.  They had proven their spots by placing high in the US championships.  I just hope that at this Olympic Trials, the top 5 girls are awarded the opportunity to compete in London... however, I doubt that it turns out that way.

The Olympic trials are this Sunday on NBC at 8:00 PM (not sure if its Central or Eastern time).  Take a look and enjoy some unbelievable gymnastics.  Every year I am amazed by the advancement of the sport and the difficulty these girls perform with such precision.  I love watching it!  I will be glued to the tv for every routine and hopefully there will be a fair and unbiased result.

A Decade Old Birthday Tradition

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!

For the past 10 years... that is a whole decade... my wonderful husband has taken me to The Melting Pot for my birthday.  If you have never been to The Melting Pot, you should definitely check it out.  It is fondue where they serve you melted cheese (yum), salad, an array of meats that you cook in a broth, and then finally a melted chocolate (my favorite part).  I'm a chocoholic if you have never met me.  If you are ever wondering what kind of gift to get me... get me chocolate, if I'm ever stressed... chocolate, if I'm tired... chocolate, if I'm bored... chocolate.  You get the picture.

 I have a few pics from The Melting Pot over the years.

2006

2011

Tonight (2012)  Sorry the picture is so blurry.



And all the super yummy things we ate.  I love me some fondue.



Fun fun fun, Kokomo, and a little Good Vibrations!

My Dad turned 25 for the 32nd time on Friday.  My brother and sis-in-law bought him Beach Boys tix and wanted to surprise him on his birthday.  We met at the 'rents house and waited for him to get home.  He was confused because his kiddos were there and he thought he was on his way to get a massage.  He was told to put on the clothes laid out on the bed (a new Hawaiian shirt from my Mom and some cargo shorts).  Of course, being my Dad, he put on the shirt and shorts (with tags still attached) and left his dress socks and shoes on... such a jokester.  Sorry I don't have a picture of that.

We loaded up in the burban and started our trek to the Woodlands at 4:30... holy traffic.  In the car, Stephanie (sis-in-law) videoed him opening a gift that included clues as to where we were going.  You can check that out here on her awesome blog... BEAUtiful Mess

Once arriving in the Woodlands, we met up at Baker's Street Pub with some other friends and family that were joining us for the concert, ate some dinner, then headed to the venue.  We camped out on the hill and enjoyed some good 'ol Beach Boys music.

 

Me with my handsome hubby

The stadium was packed.  There were fifteen 60-70  year olds up on stage.

The group listening to some rad vibes.

Then, we could see the storm clouds rollin in.  We were mostly prepared with ponchos and bags to store our valuables in.  A couple of us enjoyed getting soaked and dancin in the rain (Steph).  They saved the best songs for last... the enchor consisted of

Kokomo, Surfin Safari, Barbara Ann, Rhonda, and Good Vibrations.



It was an amazing, fun-filled night that my Dad very much enjoyed.